Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) announced Sunday that he will not run for governor of Tennessee in 2010.

“After significant reflection and conversation with loved ones, I have decided to remain a private citizen for the foreseeable future,” Frist said in a statement.

Frist, 56, served as the GOP’s leader in the Senate from 2003 until his retirement in 2007, at the end of his second term. As leader, he presided over numerous contentious debates, including the 2005 standoffs over judicial filibusters and the Terri Schiavo case.

In his announcement, Frist, who is a heart surgeon, said he would continue to engage in politics through his work on healthcare and a new program focusing on education.

“My long-standing efforts both as a doctor and policymaker to improve access to quality, affordable health care throughout our state will carry on,” he said. “I will also launch a statewide, nonpartisan, grassroots education initiative to improve K-12 education in Tennessee late this month.”

— This is the second time Frist has flouted expectations by opting against a bid for public office. Once considered a top Republican presidential prospect, he announced he would not run for president in November 2006.

— His exit from the Tennessee gubernatorial field leaves an undefined field of Republican contenders who will vie to succeed two-term Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen.

One top contender, Congressman Zach Wamp, has previously said he would run for governor if Frist decided not to. And Bill Gibbons, the Shelby County district attorney general, has already thrown his hat into the ring.

On his blog, Frist praised the field of contenders but did not signal who he would support.

"Several friends, whom I respect tremendously and who I know are highly qualified, have expressed interest in running for governor of Tennessee," he wrote Sunday. "I know that the people of Tennessee will identify a great leader to serve as Governor and I will standby to help in any way."

Though Democrats have held the governor’s mansion for eight years and control a majority of the state’s congressional seats, Republicans are optimistic about the upcoming governor’s race.

Tennessee is one of the few states in the country where Republicans picked up ground in the last election, seizing control of both chambers of the state legislature and reelecting Sen. Lamar Alexander by a wide margin.